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Community development committee reports six rehab completions, demolition bids and CDBG uncertainty
Summary
The city’s community development committee reported six residential rehabs completed, 34 in progress, demolition rebids for properties on the 400 block of Fifth Avenue, and uncertainty about Community Development Block Grant allocations for fiscal 2025–26.
KANKAKEE, Ill. — At its March meetings, Kankakee’s community development committee reported progress on residential rehab projects, plans to rebid demolitions and ongoing conversations with HUD about technical assistance and continuum‑of‑care arrangements.
Autumn Baron summarized the committee’s February activities during the council meeting. Committee documents and the ECDA (Economic and Community Development Authority) report, presented by Barbie Brewer Watson, showed six residential rehabilitation projects were completed in February and 34 were in process. ECDA is preparing to rebid demolition work for multiple properties on the 400 block of Fifth Avenue; staff said that demolition is already funded in the current Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget.
Committee members discussed the public service CDBG program and reimbursement rules. Entities that received CDBG public service grants in 2024 and 2025 must submit receipts for reimbursement prior to April 30; staff said the amount available for the 2025–26 year is unknown until the federal budget is finalized, and estimated it could be “about $80,000” but noted the figure is not final.
Barber (sic) Brewer Watson reported ECDA has modified its public security incentive program to include public‑facing lighting as an eligible cost alongside cameras; staff said four applications in February included lighting expenses and that the program is now active and reimbursing qualifying work.
Committee members also reviewed a slate of nominees for the community advisory board: Roderick Sessions (First Ward), Jimena Ramirez (Second Ward), Pat Koy (Third Ward), Paige Schaeffer (Fourth Ward), Doug Jaure (Fifth Ward) and Zelma Evans (Sixth Ward); the Seventh Ward nominee withdrew due to a scheduling conflict and the committee expects to present a full slate to the full council when available.
Staff reported continued communication with HUD regional representatives about potential changes to technical assistance programs and the local continuum of care. ECDA staff said those federal changes have not yet affected grants awarded to the city, but could require revised local procedures to pursue programmatic reforms.
Ending: The committee’s updates reflect active housing rehabilitation and scheduled demolition work, routine program adjustments to CDBG incentives, and an unresolved federal funding outlook that will shape allocations for the coming fiscal year.
